Doug18

Hey guys I was wondering if you had any advice. sometimes after a drive when I shut my truck off it smells like burnt coolant. I have tried to locate any leaks but to no avail and the coolant level is correct and has been since I have been keeping track of it. any ideas?

SoCal

How is your overflow bottle does it hold coolant or leak?

rworegon

Assuming the radiator, radiator hoses, and waterpump are not leaking here are a few more ideas:
Coolant hoses on throttle body
Coolant hose to oil cooler
Coolant hoses going to heater

When my HG was just starting to go I could smell coolant burning for a few seconds at shut down. I found two places that had external leaks: passenger side near the starter and driver side up near the fire wall. It took a mirror and a good flash light to see the red crusty from the Toyota coolant. When I first stated smelling coolant, it was using so little that I was adding about 4 ounces every 3 months.

Doug18

overflow seems to be holding coolant just fine

Doug18

Thanks, ill check those areas tomorrow ... I sure hope its not the HG though because with the way my schedule is now it would have to go to a shop ($$$) :/

Shoua

IF you have the V6, I'll bet it's the little U-shaped hose on the back of the engine. It's near the top by the firewall, and when cracked, it'll leak coolant onto the exhaust crossover pipe and burn on it.

rworegon

Doug18, what engine and type of rig are you dealing with?

tj884Rdlx

check the seams at the top and bottom of the radiator. my most difficult leaks to find were at tank seams that would expand under pressure only, and the leakage would steam off so there was no puddling apparent.

also, check the heater core, particularly if you smell it inside. heater core may leak into the carpet unnoticed, or leak steam which will slime up the windshield over time. their leaks become more apparent when we start using the heat again in the fall.

rworegon

I also had coolant in this area when I tore into my headgasket repair. The sealant on the bypass tube gives out or the tube rusts if the coolant has been neglected.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...=128424&page=2

Doug18

Sorry been real busy ... Its a 3.4l V6 1998 4runner

Doug18

Thank you all so much for all of your input

PismoJoe

The early 3.4's have been known to have an external head gasket leak, but IIRC correctly 98 is new enough to where they corrected this problem. Wouldn't hurt to take a peek at the back of the heads while you're under it. An external leak usually doesn't barf too much coolant, but runs down the block and gives you that odor from it burning.

Doug18

didnt really notice much today while I was giving it a look over. But I did notice that my battery and tray were soaked after driving around. So maybe my coolant resevour IS leaking

rworegon

And it was dry outside while you were driving around? Those tanks do split and leak sometimes. Take it for a drive, get up to temp and take a look under the hood while it's still running...look for a squirter. The small hose off the radiator to the coolant tank, radiator cap, and radiator itself are suspect too.

Doug18

Yes it was a dry day and it has been pretty dry for the past couple of days when I drove it

rworegon

Pick up some of the wet on a paper towel. Definately coolant?

Coolant recovery tank:
http://www.toyotapartsales.com/partl...layCatalogid=0

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...sion_tank.html

Doug18

looks like coolant I dabbed some on the wet area in question and then dabbed some off of the filler tube in the resevour and they looked the same to me

rworegon

The coolant tank pulls straight up and off once the battery hold down is out of the way.